Jamie Carragher: Dejan Lovren Can be Liverpool Captain when Steven Gerrard Quits

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher believes Dejan Lovren possesses all the necessary qualities to become captain of the Reds in the future.

The Croatian international became Brendan Rodgers' fifth summer signing following an impressive season for Southampton for a reported £20m fee. The Northern Irishman backed the 25-year-old centre-back to fill the void created by Carragher's retirement.

The former England and Liverpool defender, who made 737 appearances for the Merseyside club, insists that Lovren can directly take the armband from Steven Gerrard once the midfielder hangs up his boots, and that there are only a handful of competitors to replace the midfielder.

"Centre-backs normally make great captains. I think if Lovren establishes himself in the team became a top player by showing the same form he has at Southampton for Liverpool, then in the next few years when Stevie does decide to call it day he will be in contention," Carragher told the Liverpool Echo.

"Jordan Henderson is another who could possibly be in contention and there will be more who arrive in that time that could be up for it as well. But if Lovren can come in and produce that sort of form then I am sure he will be in the running for it."

"You look at him and he has the potential to make a big powerful impact at the back and that's what Liverpool need. I saw him at Anfield when Southampton travelled there and I saw him against Manchester United as well and he was outstanding in both games," the 36 year-old continued.

"He was aggressive and he was organising and that's exactly what you want in a centre-back. At Old Trafford in particular he was communicating so well and hopefully he'll bring that to Liverpool and I think that is certainly something that is needed."

"There are a lot of good centre-backs out there and they'll have different qualities but you don't get many of that type and that's what I saw in those games," he added.

"Hopefully he can bring those leadership qualities because it may be easier to be a leader for Southampton, organising and telling people what to do at that level but it's different when you're talking about Liverpool."

"Without a doubt Lovren is a great age for a centre-back. You don't really want a centre-back to be much younger than 24 really because they can go onto have a much longer career than players in different positions."

"Mid 20s you're looking at getting a good seven or eight years out him if he can be a success for Liverpool and that would be a great service for the club if he could do that," Carragher concluded.